The job hunting support thread

[Calamity1971]

I've had similar puddytat, I only have the small birth certificate and my passport has ran out. passport is still fine if it ran out within the past two years.
Just applied for a menial job in hmp and they check every part of your c.v. So my once work of fiction c.v with little gaps in employment, it now has more holes than a Swiss cheese. I'm not holding my hopes up.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

Just applied for a menial job in hmp and they check every part of your c.v. So my once work of fiction c.v with little gaps in employment, it now has more holes than a Swiss cheese. I'm not holding my hopes up.

where they insist on checking everything, it's as much about making sure you've not been doing anything disreputable / in the clink

i've done some where they asked for dates and what dole office you were signing on at if you were unemployed. it gets more complicated if you were doing temp / casual work though, especially if the companies have disappeared or you can't remember who the heck they were - and if it's civil service then they may be able to cross check against your income tax records.

not sure that having had spells on the dole will be held against you - but telling lies might if you get found out...

and if by hmp you mean something civil service, their application process is pretty much (officially at least) competency based, so as long as you can come up with some good BS for whichever competencies they are selecting on, you should be ok - at interview it's "give an example of a time you did X" so one good example, even if it's from a short term job, may well be better than a crappy example from a job you did for years. (and read the competencies they say they want before the interview, as that is the sort of thing they will base the questions on)

 

[Calamity1971]

Cheers puddytat, that's why I altered my c.v. back to truthfulness. Probably won't get shortlisted for an interview, but in the vain hope I do at least I won't be twitching waiting to get caught out. I can't even tell a little white lie to save someones feelings so I would crumble.

 

[Fingers]

It will be too much effort for them to check your entire work history, especially if you have been working for 20 years or so in a shed load of jobs. I suspect they will do spot check on the easy ones though.

 

[MarkyMarrk]

I've dug out some vacancies this evening. It seems they're not as plentiful as I anticipated, and moving sideways to London I was expecting a decent pay rise. Wrongly.

 

[ShiftyBagLady]

Had that interview today and it went reasonably well, I definitely have all the skills they're looking for and I didn't do badly but they did ask a couple of WTF questions, asking what would you do if *insert task here*. The thing was I'm sure there would already be departmental procedures and guidelines about those things so I answered in what I thought might be a reasonable response but really I was thinking 'I'd assume this would be covered in the induction'.
So yeah. I'm 50/50 on whether I think I'll get it or not, tbh. Which is annoying as I'd really quite like the job. I didn't ask how long it would take them to get back to me so I'm now just waiting.
Suppose I ought to be applying elsewhere while I wait.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

asking what would you do if *insert task here*. The thing was I'm sure there would already be departmental procedures and guidelines about those things so I answered in what I thought might be a reasonable response but really I was thinking 'I'd assume this would be covered in the induction'.

that kinda pisses me off when that happens.

i suppose it's a way of giving some priority to internal candidates who already know their procedures and such.

but it's kinda annoying.

i got a similar question at one interview a while back - said something like "I'd try and handle it in line with procedures and instructions. One place I've worked A would be the right answer, another place I've worked, B would."

and i didn't get the job...

 

[ShiftyBagLady]

Yeah, I walked out thinking 'trick question, not fair' and I did suspect there would be other candidates (particularly internal ones) who might have answered that better. It's an NHS job so I'm sure that there are internal candidates and the whole interview was very very quick...
So those things do raise doubts despite knowing that I could definitely do the job and they'd be blessed to have my presence.

 

[Looby]

Yeah, I walked out thinking 'trick question, not fair' and I did suspect there would be other candidates (particularly internal ones) who might have answered that better. It's an NHS job so I'm sure that there are internal candidates and the whole interview was very very quick...
So those things do raise doubts despite knowing that I could definitely do the job and they'd be blessed to have my presence.

I had a couple of those questions in a recent interview. They were definitely questions where there was a fixed policy in the organisation (professional boundaries and safeguarding). I think in my case they weren't so much looking for the exact right answer, more if I had a general idea of how I'd deal with it.
I was slightly off with my answer on one question but I said that I would be there to learn and would consult and stick to company policy which seemed to satisfy them.
Good luck. [emoji4]

 

[friendofdorothy]

Yeah, I walked out thinking 'trick question, not fair' and I did suspect there would be other candidates (particularly internal ones) who might have answered that better. It's an NHS job so I'm sure that there are internal candidates and the whole interview was very very quick...
So those things do raise doubts despite knowing that I could definitely do the job and they'd be blessed to have my presence.

I'm applying for some NHS jobs - ones that say 'nhs experience desirable, but not essential' I'm wondering if they mean it.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

I'm applying for some NHS jobs - ones that say 'nhs experience desirable, but not essential' I'm wondering if they mean it.

To be honest, I think it generally means what it says.

It's not essential, but if they get two candidates with similar skills etc, but one has used their IT systems and such before, then that candidate is going to be at an advantage.

Local authorities and civil service and so on tend - if they are in a spate of making redundancies - to advertise jobs internally first, and may give first priority to people who are under notice or at risk of redundancy. If that doesn't identify a candidate, only then will they advertise externally. Although there is a chance that someone will become 'at risk' after the advert goes out.

While it's an urban myth that organisations are legally required to advertise all jobs externally and only do so to 'tick boxes', an internal candidate is likely to have an advantage in knowledge of internal systems / IT / procedures and such.

If the process is being handled properly, though, all candidates should be assessed on the same criteria / interview questions. I have known internal candidates leave far too much unsaid on the basis the interviewer knows them, and score badly as a result.

I think I've said this before, but if all else fails, the other way in is through temping / agency - while that can be crappy, you can at least stand a chance of getting the hang of their systems etc.

 

[friendofdorothy]

To be honest, I think it generally means what it says.

It's not essential, but if they get two candidates with similar skills etc, but one has used their IT systems and such before, then that candidate is going to be at an advantage.

Local authorities and civil service and so on tend - if they are in a spate of making redundancies - to advertise jobs internally first, and may give first priority to people who are under notice or at risk of redundancy. If that doesn't identify a candidate, only then will they advertise externally. Although there is a chance that someone will become 'at risk' after the advert goes out.

While it's an urban myth that organisations are legally required to advertise all jobs externally and only do so to 'tick boxes', an internal candidate is likely to have an advantage in knowledge of internal systems / IT / procedures and such.

If the process is being handled properly, though, all candidates should be assessed on the same criteria / interview questions. I have known internal candidates leave far too much unsaid on the basis the interviewer knows them, and score badly as a result.

thanks

I think I've said this before, but if all else fails, the other way in is through temping / agency - while that can be crappy, you can at least stand a chance of getting the hang of their systems etc.

I don't want to work in the nhs that much.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

I don't want to work in the nhs that much.

 

[ShiftyBagLady]

I'm applying for some NHS jobs - ones that say 'nhs experience desirable, but not essential' I'm wondering if they mean it.

I have previous experience of working in the NHS but am not familiar with all their softwares... I'm not entirely sure if they mean it myself *shrug*

 

[ShiftyBagLady]

I didn't get the job, they gav it to a candidate with more experience in a healthcare setting (I have two years experience of the setting though it's not recent experience). They did ring me to reject me personally but I missed the call so they emailed me. They said the panel were very impressed with me and that they would like to keep my details and get would contact me if roles they felt I would be suited to arise in future.
So that was nice and not a complete dead end. I'm not sure if this is a standard thing thysay to people but I did follow it up and we'll see if anything come of it.

Thus far I've been able to only apply for local jobs that I actually would want to do but having consulted my bank balance I think I may have to start being a little less selective about it

 

[friendofdorothy]

I'm applying for some NHS jobs - ones that say 'nhs experience desirable, but not essential' I'm wondering if they mean it.

It appears they do. I've just been offered a interview! Boosted my confidence no end, which to be honest was part of my motive in job hunting, just to see if I'm still employable in general.

Part of the interveiw is to be a half hour MS Excel test. I'm good with excel but often rubbish with tests.

Anyone done a test like this? I 'd like to know what to expect. I was never taught excel - used to use claris works to do my accounts for donkeys years then picked up excel because it similar. Use it all the time for cash flows, accounts and lists of info. I know some advanced stuff - but I probably don't know some really simple basic things. Any advice?

 

[Puddy_Tat]

It appears they do. I've just been offered a interview!

hope it goes well

Anyone done a test like this? I 'd like to know what to expect.

depends what level they say they are looking for.

if it's fairly basic, then will include some calculations - adding / percentages / maximum and minimum / making graphs or pie charts / sorting and the like.

if they are looking for intermediate, then could include stuff like pivot tables and sparklines

do you know what version of excel they use? there are some differences in how to do stuff from one version to the next. have you used the version with the 'ribbon' thingy?

there's some excel training documents that reading university have put in the public domain here

 

[friendofdorothy]

Thank you! I assume its probably fairly basic as they don't say a level. No idea how to do graphs or min and max, never mind pivot tables. What do you mean by ribbon thing? should I worry?

Thanks for the link - I'm going away to do some homework now . . .

 

[Puddy_Tat]

Thank you! I assume its probably fairly basic as they don't say a level. No idea how to do graphs or min and max, never mind pivot tables. What do you mean by ribbon thing? should I worry?

Thanks for the link - I'm going away to do some homework now . . .

ribbon - introduced with Office 2007 (thought it was more recent) - more here. I ballsed up one test for a job - a while back now - because I'd never seen this before.

graphs and such used to happen if you press f11 - it's on the 'Insert' tab now.

As are sparklines - one job test (about 2 years ago) included asking me to do one, and I had bugger all idea what one was or how to do it (I'm still not sure)

do you have excel at home, or access to a computer with a reasonably current version on, so you can have a play with it?

 

[weltweit]

I have only had one test at an interview, it had an excel component which luckily was not too hard. What I didn't like was that I was not warned about the test, they just set me to it for an hour when I arrived expecting an interview.

 

[friendofdorothy]

ribbon - introduced with Office 2007 (thought it was more recent) - more here. I ballsed up one test for a job - a while back now - because I'd never seen this before.

graphs and such used to happen if you press f11 - it's on the 'Insert' tab now.

As are sparklines - one job test (about 2 years ago) included asking me to do one, and I had bugger all idea what one was or how to do it (I'm still not sure)

do you have excel at home, or access to a computer with a reasonably current version on, so you can have a play with it?

I thought the ribbon was just called a menu bar, so I've learned something. I used various versions incl 2007. I use it at home and work. I've been busy doing online excel tests - seems my knowledge is fairly patchy - I'm getting some basic level things wrong and some advance level right. I've just learned how to do graphs using the uni link you posted. Thanks. Will spend the next few days looking at all the menus and buttons I normally never need to use.

I have only had one test at an interview, it had an excel component which luckily was not too hard. What I didn't like was that I was not warned about the test, they just set me to it for an hour when I arrived expecting an interview.

It's a bit mean, I hate those sort of surprises. how did you do? did you get that job? Well at least i'm warned:

The test(s) are as follows: A short excel test and a short handwritten test.

Not much I can do about my handwriting at my age, but its slightly more legible than the average doctor. Wonder what they might ask.

 

[weltweit]

.. It's a bit mean, I hate those sort of surprises. how did you do? did you get that job?

I did the test ok, completed pretty much everything, but no, I didn't get the job. But I think it was more to do with personalities, one of the recruiting managers definitely took against me and if I am honest I took against him also.

 

[friendofdorothy]

I didn't get the job, they gav it to a candidate with more experience in a healthcare setting (I have two years experience of the setting though it's not recent experience). They did ring me to reject me personally but I missed the call so they emailed me. They said the panel were very impressed with me and that they would like to keep my details and get would contact me if roles they felt I would be suited to arise in future.
So that was nice and not a complete dead end. I'm not sure if this is a standard thing thysay to people but I did follow it up and we'll see if anything come of it.

Thus far I've been able to only apply for local jobs that I actually would want to do but having consulted my bank balance I think I may have to start being a little less selective about it

That sounds encouraging - so many places are not so polite. Good luck x

 

[friendofdorothy]

I did the test ok, completed pretty much everything, but no, I didn't get the job. But I think it was more to do with personalities, one of the recruiting managers definitely took against me and if I am honest I took against him also.

if you can take against someone in just an hour thats quite bad, probably not pleasant people to work for.

 

[weltweit]

if you can take against someone in just an hour thats quite bad, probably not pleasant people to work for.

It was probably as much to do with me as them, I checked everyone out before I went and had decided this individual had been over-promoted, unfortunately they would have been my boss.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

Wonder what they might ask.

is it NHS?

can't speak with experience, but most larger organisations now go in for 'competency based interviewing' (see post 1883) - look at the experience they say they want, and think of a good example from your past (can be employment, voluntary work and so on) that goes with each one

if you can take against someone in just an hour thats quite bad

dunno. sometimes taking an instant dislike to someone saves a heck of a lot of time...

 

[friendofdorothy]

I've got an interview tomorrow! very excited!

 

[ShiftyBagLady]

I've got an interview tomorrow! very excited!

Is this today? Good luck!

 

[cesare]

I've got an interview tomorrow! very excited!

Good luck

 

[friendofdorothy]

Is this today? Good luck!

Good luck

thank you. It's my first interview in over 8 years and I think it went ok. Thanks. Will hear tomorrow.
Not sure if I really want it - I'm having a late fit of conscience about abandoning my clients/co-workers in my present job and wondering if I am brave enough to change now? I'm hoping they won't offer it and I won't have to choose.
Still updating CV and doing a sucessful application to even get an interview has boosted my self confidence.